Former U.S. President Donald Trump faced a $9,000 fine for contempt of court in his criminal hush money trial, with the presiding judge warning of potential imprisonment should he persist in defying a gag order. Justice Juan Merchan cautioned that the imposed penalty might not sufficiently deter the wealthy businessman-turned-politician and expressed regret over his limited authority to levy a more substantial sanction.
Merchan’s written order underscored the gravity of willful violations of lawful court orders, signaling a readiness to impose punitive measures, including incarceration, if necessary. The gag order had been instituted to prevent Trump from disparaging witnesses and other case participants.
Trump incurred a $1,000 fine for each of nine online statements deemed in breach of the prohibition on criticizing trial participants. Prosecutors identified 10 posts as potential violations, including one characterizing his former lawyer Michael Cohen as a “serial liar,” with Cohen slated as a key trial witness.
Among the contentious posts was a citation of a Fox News pundit alleging infiltration of the jury by “undercover liberal activists.” Trump’s contention that he could not be held accountable for reposted content not of his own creation was dismissed by Merchan.
Further sanctions for additional statements are under consideration, with Trump ordered to remove the offending posts from his Truth Social account and campaign website. Trump decried the restrictions as an infringement on his freedom of speech, lamenting his status as the first presidential candidate to be gagged.
His attorney, Todd Blanche, argued that the statements constituted responses to political attacks, yet failed to substantiate claims of preexisting attacks by expected witnesses. Despite the relatively minor financial penalty, Trump faces unprecedented potential imprisonment, posing logistical questions about his detention venue and treatment.
The charges against Trump in the 2024 presidential election contender involve alleged falsification of business records to conceal a $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, also known as Stephanie Clifford, in exchange for her silence regarding a purported 2006 sexual encounter with Trump. Trump maintains his innocence and denies any such liaison with Daniels.
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